Go Blue Guarantee Eligibility

What is the Go Blue Guarantee and what does it cover?

U-M will pay full undergraduate tuition and mandatory university fees for up to four years for students who:

• are eligible for in-state tuition
• are eligible to apply for financial aid
• have family incomes of $75,000 or less and assets below $75,000 (as well as tuition support for some families earning more)
• are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree

Income and assets are verified each academic year during the aid application process and the guarantee requires students to apply for financial aid. It covers tuition for fall/winter terms.

What is tuition and what fees are covered?

Tuition is the specific charge the student will be billed for their classes. Tuition is one of the costs incorporated in the Cost of Attendance. Additional expenses include housing and meals (both in a residence hall or living off campus), books and supplies, and personal items (for example, personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and modest entertainment). Fees covered are full-time, mandatory university fees as defined by the U-M Office of the Registrar.

How is tuition covered?

U-M considers all sources of tuition funding, grants, and scholarship assistance when determining eligibility for the Go Blue Guarantee. For example, if you have a Federal Pell Grant, Michigan Competitive Scholarship, and a partial Michigan Education Trust funding, these resources would be totaled and we would cover any gap between that and the cost of tuition.

When is it effective?

As approved by the U-M Board of Regents, the Go Blue Guarantee began on January 1, 2018. It is incorporated into the financial aid notification process each academic year.

Will I get the Go Blue Guarantee for my entire education at U-M?

Tuition is covered (fall/winter terms only) for up to four academic years (or eight terms) of post-secondary education, if you qualify each academic year. If you attend beyond this specified time, tuition will not be covered as part of this program. However, you may qualify for other need-based assistance to help with your tuition expense.

Who gets it?

U-M resident undergraduates earning their first degree and who meet the income and asset provisions noted. Students must apply for financial aid by the priority application deadline and meet financial aid eligibility requirements to be considered. Continuing students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress to receive any financial aid from U-M.

What does U-M consider when looking at student and family income?

We use information from the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and CSS Profile financial aid applications, and sometimes request other documents to verify family income and assets. We compute separate financial contributions for custodial and non-custodial parents. We define income as the total of student and parent wages, earnings from a business or other self-employment, other taxable income such as unemployment compensation, and all untaxed income.

What assets are used when considering eligibility for the Go Blue Guarantee?

We consider total net worth, which includes: ​home equity, savings/checking, investments, real estate and business net worth, but not retirement accounts.

Is this automatically given for four years, or am I reconsidered based on family income and assets each year? Can U-M reconsider my funding if my parents’ financial situation changes?

Your eligibility is reviewed each year and you and your family must meet the income and asset criteria. You must apply for financial aid by our priority deadline. Family financial situations can affect this tuition program.

What if I lose eligibility in my sophomore year? Will I be again considered in my junior year?

Yes. Your financial aid application will be reviewed each year for the Go Blue Guarantee program, up to a total of four years. Students may demonstrate eligibility for the Go Blue Guarantee in one, two, three, or all four years.

Is the Go Blue Guarantee applicable to graduate programs?

The Go Blue Guarantee program will assist eligible students enrolled in their first Bachelor's Degree (undergraduate) program.

Can my financial aid change if you have asked to review additional documents or information?

If we have requested additional information, your tuition funding is contingent on you providing this information for our review. If the information submitted is different from what was reported to us originally, your funding may change.

Can I attend part-time and still get the Go Blue Guarantee?

No. You must be enrolled full-time to receive the U-M Go Blue Guarantee for tuition.

What if I take a semester off of school and am not enrolled?

Your eligibility will be reviewed for each academic year (fall and winter semesters) in which you enroll. If you take a semester, or year, off to pursue some other interest, your eligibility will be again determined upon your return to the University of Michigan, up to a maximum of four years.

I am working to earn a second bachelor’s degree. Can I qualify for the Go Blue Guarantee for tuition?

No. You must be earning a first bachelor’s degree to be considered and to qualify. Students who are completing a second bachelor's degree may be eligible for federal student loans, up to the aggregate borrowing maximum for undergraduate students. Second bachelor degree students may also be eligible for private educational loans and scholarship assistance.

I am transferring to the UM-Ann Arbor campus. Can I get the Go Blue Guarantee?

Transfer students are eligible, as well as incoming first-year and continuing students. Your eligibility will be considered when you apply for financial aid and your family income and assets are considered.

Will periods of enrollment at another institution be included in the four years of the Go Blue Guarantee?

No. When determining the total length of enrollment, enrollment at another institution will not be included.

My Go Blue Guarantee does not appear on my spring/summer financial aid notice. Why?

The Go Blue Guarantee is not offered during spring and/or summer periods of enrollment. Students may receive up to four years of tuition during a fall or winter semester of enrollment.

What about my 529 tax deferred college savings plan? What if I have a Michigan Education Trust paying for my college?

If another resource covers your tuition, you will be considered for, and may receive, other institutional funding including grants, loans, and scholarships to assist you in meeting other college expenses.

My Go Blue Guarantee shows as less than my full tuition on my financial aid notice. Why?

Other grants and scholarships, such as the federal Pell and SEOG grants, the Michigan Competitive Scholarship, and some UM-funded scholarships contribute to this tuition program. In these cases, U-M makes up the difference and covers a student’s full tuition using the Go Blue Guarantee.

I did not qualify for the Go Blue Guarantee. Can I appeal this decision?

All financial aid decisions may be appealed through a committee process that reviews extenuating or special circumstances. The U-M Office of Financial Aid makes the final determination of eligibility, considering all factors affecting a family's financial situation. You may be asked to provide documentation of your special circumstance.

Questions?

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 734-763-6600